Samuel “Sam” Vince Sparks, 86, of Pensacola, FL passed away Thursday, September 3, 2026.

Sam was born August 4, 1940, in Cumberland, KY to Perry Lynn (Goode) and Willie Wesley Sparks. He served his country in the US Army, 104th Transportation Corps and drove the 1st truck into Berlin carrying 1,500 US reinforcements from the 18th Infantry Battalion through the city in 1961 when Germany began sealing off East Berlin from West Berlin with barbed wire and barriers and later became the Berlin Wall. After active duty, he continued service in the US Army Reserve as a Personnel Administrative Specialist. Sam was Vice President of Sparks Specialty Company for many wonderful years with his family. He retired from the family business in the 90s and started his own real estate company, Contrax Real Estate, primarily doing property management and representing many clients who became his friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dwight Alan Sparks; sister, Iris Ann Haskew (Stan); and son, Charles Wesley Sparks.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Jean Sparks; brother, Jack Wesley Sparks Sr. (Cheri); son, Vince Sparks (Kimberly); daughter, Tammie Olivet (Mark); special nephews, Ronnie and Richard Busbee; granddaughter, Haley; and numerous other grandchildren, nieces, nephews and great grandchildren, whom he loved and adored.

Sam was a charter member of Cokesbury United Methodist Church until 2005, when he joined the Church of Latter-day Saints where he was an elder. Sam loved the Lord deeply and was a man of strong faith. He also loved his country and held dear the founding principles upon which America was established – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all.

Sam shared his Earthly life with his beloved wife Bonnie, for 61 years. Together, they found great joy in spending time with their family, watching their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews grow up and especially cheering them on in sporting events and other activities. Sam was a very proud Dad, “Uncle Sam”, and “Poppie”.

Pallbearers are Ronnie Busbee, Richard Busbee, Robert Haskew, Wes Haskew, Wes Sparks, and Jeremy Sparks. Honorary pallbearers are dear friend, Jack McCombs, grandson, Lieutenant Colonel Hans Jenson Mogelgaard (US Army), nephews, Jason Sparks, Brian Sparks and Joshua Sparks.

A graveside service will be held 10:00am Friday, September 11, 2026, at Barrancas National Cemetery, with military honors. For those wishing to attend, a funeral cortege will depart Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel at 9:30am sharp. 

In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorial contributions be made to the United Service Organization (USO).